Police led on chase in Kyle Canyon area

Jen Lawson

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

A 52-year-old man attacked a Metro Police officer with a knife at Mount Charleston Monday morning and then led officers on a chase that ended at the house where it began, police said.

Thomas Rotsch was arrested and charged with violating a temporary protection order and attempting to murder a police officer.

A female resident of Moritz Way in the Rainbow subdivision has a temporary protection order against Rotsch, Metro Police Lt. Vincent Cannito said. A neighbor, who knows about the couple's history, called police shortly after 9 a.m. after seeing Rotsch's vehicle in the driveway.

Police arrived and Rotsch charged at an officer with a knife and threw the knife at the officer, Cannito said. The officer fired at him, but didn't hit him. The officer's name won't be released for 48 hours, following Metro's policy.

"The only shot fired was from an officer who was defending himself," Cannito said during a press briefing.

The officer was not hurt.

Cannito said Rotsch jumped into a dark gray Silverado pickup truck and led police on a 30-minute chase in the Kyle Canyon area that reached speeds up to 90 mph.

Police used spike strips in an attempt to deflate the truck's tires, but it didn't work.

Rotsch crashed his truck in the area of Moritz Way, abandoned it and ran to the victim's home. He barricaded himself inside and, after negotiating with police, surrendered.

The incident is being handled by the homicide unit because it was an officer-involved shooting.